Moroccan Talbi: ‘This is why I signed for Sunderland FC’

Moroccan international Chemsdine Talbi has reacted to his rare goal for Sunderland FC in Wednesday’s Premier League game against Liverpool FC.

The 20-year-old’s deflected effort from range put the visitors ahead at a packed Anfield.

Highlights: Liverpool 1-1 Sunderland 📺 pic.twitter.com/UZRR3u8QVb

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) December 4, 2025

The struggling hosts needed Florian Wirtz’s strike to settle the contest at one-all and remain in eighth place, two steps behind Sunderland.

Talbi said he believes Sunderland proved during the game that they can compete at the highest level against the best.

“We didn’t get the three points but it was a fantastic job to get three points. It’s not easy here but we showed how strong we are as a team,” the youngster told Sunderland media.

“It’s a great stadium to play in but when the game starts, you don’t focus on that. You play your football.”

How many goals has Talbi scored for Sunderland FC?

Wednesday’s effort was Talbi’s second goal of the Premier League season with his first being the strike he registered during a match against Chelsea back in October.

The Belgium-born winger told Sunderland media that he was working towards increasing his goals’ tally this season.

For the Atlas Lions’ rising star, this was not just a goal, but a statement of why he, in the first place, signed for the Premier League rookies.

“I’m still working. I’m still learning. I just hope I will score more goals like this. This is why I came to Sunderland. I knew we would do great things and we are doing that so I am really happy to be a part of this team,” he added.

Apart from Talbi, Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris featured in the starting line-up other Africans namely Mozambican defender Reinildo Mandava and his Congolese counterpart Noah Sadiki.

Burkinabe international Bertrand Traoré started the game from the bench alongside Ivorian Simon Adingra.